Build Advice - Most Bang For My Buck

[riotxcore]

1. What YOUR PC will be used for. That means what types of tasks you'll be performing.

Id like this to be a gaming machine first and foremost.

2. What YOUR budget is. A price range is acceptable as long as it's not more than a 20% spread

$1,500, maximum.

3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from.

USA

4. IF YOU have a brand preference. That means, are you an Intel-Fanboy, AMD-Fanboy, ATI-Fanboy, nVidia-Fanboy, Seagate-Fanboy, WD-Fanboy, etc.

Whichever will give me best performance for the budget I have.

5. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.

All new parts.

6. IF YOU have searched and/or read similar threads.

I did a bit of research but nothing too in depth. Last time I built a PC was 7-8 years ago.

7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds.

Stable overclocking is a possiblity, but default to begin with.

8. What resolution YOU plan on gaming with.

As high as my new 28 inch moniter will allow.

9. WHEN do you plan to build it?

ASAP

10. Don't ask for a build configuration critique or rating if you are thin skinned.

Okay!

 

[mfenn]

A few questions:
- Do you need an OS included in the budget?
- Can you look up the resolution on your monitor?
- Can you wait a few weeks for this Sandy Bridge issue to be sorted out?

 

[riotxcore]

Yes, OS will be included.

I will edit this post with resolution when I get home.

I would prefer to get this started within the month. My current machine is having boot problems related to hardware and i dont want to spend cash on a 7 to 8 year old machine.

 

[mfenn]

Here's a build assuming that there is no quick return of Sandy Bridge to store shelves:

i5 760 $205
ASRock P55 Extreme4 $150
G.Skill DDR3 1333 8GB $80
2x 6950 $560 AR
OCZ Vertex 2 60GB $105 AR
Samsung F3 1TB $65
Samsung DVD Burner $20
XFX 750W $80 AR
HAF 922 $100
Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit $100
Total: $1465 AR

Note that you could probably fit 2x 6970 in there if you dropped the SSD and got an Antec 300 instead of the HAF.